authetniticty and exoticism - johnston and baumann

how is autenticity used

• creates gaps, as its a mode and type of consumption

• way we create distinctions in things of lower consecration

• authenticity as a status marker

normative view of authetnicty

• authentic= good, scarce, worthy

• inauthentic= bad, common, worthless

sociological view of authenticy

• authenticity is a title, things we ascribe to things 

  • description is dependent on place and time

common sence view of authenticty

•  authentcity as property of a thing, characteristic of a thing

  • for an object, authenticity is an attrbiture

what is exoctisim in the context of johnston and bauuman article

• balance cultural extraction and cultural openeness

• authenticity is polite exoticism

democracy and its relation to autentity

High value in our culture placed on equality and inclusivity

• authentic foods has Democratic soical goals of valuing food cultures of marginalized groups

distinction and its relaton to autentiy

• Focus on authenticity provides standard for distinction that’s not overtly snobby

• Authentic foods= difficult to acquire

• appreciation requires cultural capital (

  • time, resources, money and knowledge to know and care/ distinguish what is authentic)

neocolonism in context of johnston and bauumans article

domination and acquiring of cultural goods and knowledge to give oneself status (based on recipes)

• driver of exocticism

 Otherness

 Otherness

• Exoticism can alienate POC from food spaces, finding theri own foods epriced as exotic by foodies find themselves OTHERED

Distance

Dimension of exoticism that refers to exotic foods as food that is socially distant and considered unusual

• Assumes that the cultural experience of the white upper-middle class is the universal reference point

 Norm breaking

 Norm breaking

Foods that represent differences as radically different, exciting and desirable

• -violate norms of the culinar and culture mainstream

What do the dimensions of exoticism frame as exotic food

Foodie discourse frames exotic foods as foreign to mainstream taste buds but also excitingly different, distinct and shocking

Signifers of authenticity

Signifers of authenticity

• Geographic specificity

• Simplicity

• Personal connection

• History and tradition

• Ethnic connection

What are the drives for exotic foods

• Drive for social status tide to neo-colonial impulses to dominate and possess cultural resources of the exotic

• Democratic drive for inclusion through culinary cosmopolitanism

According to johnston and baumann, What does authentic foods facilitate and perpetuate 

Authentic foods posses democratic qualities but also simultaneously facilitate distinction and perpetration of taste hierarchies within foodie discourse

authentic cuisines vs childhood arts exposure

more exposure = prefered more authetnic cuisines

Consequences of Authenticity and Exoticism

• creates hierarchies within food discourse

• we judge some cuisines based on skill tallent and others judged on authenticity

  • creates huge inequalities and status distinction